Calling Russia a "mafia state" has become cliche. But cliche or not, the term actually fits. Vladimir Putin's Kremlin actually operates like a crime syndicate.

After the referendum in October 1991 confirmed Dudaev in his new position as president of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, he declared the republic's sovereignty and its independence from Soviet Union. Dudaev was killed on 21 April 1996, by two laser-guided missiles.